As REALTORS®, we know that at its core, the current economic crisis is the result of problems in our nation’s housing and mortgage markets. The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 signed into law in October was a solid step toward stabilizing the financial markets, however REALTORS® recognize more must be done specifically for housing.
With Congress considering further economic stimulus efforts, NAR is offering a four-point legislative plan to reinvigorate the housing market. NAR believes its plan will give a boost to the economy and help to calm jittery potential home buyers. The plan features such consumer-driven provisions as eliminating the repayment of the first-time homebuyer tax credit and expanding it to all homebuyers, making higher mortgage loan limits permanent, pushing banks to extend credit to Main Street, and prohibiting banks from entering into real estate. If you have not already done so, please participate in this urgent Call-to-Action.
12.7.08
LVAR HOMETOWN HEROES PROGRAM GETS MEDIA ATTENTION
In October, LVAR announced its new Hometown Heroes program, which will provide need-based financial assistance and home buyer education to Allentown’s public safety work force to help them purchase a principal residence within the city. The program was created through a partnership between the Lehigh Valley Association of Realtors® and the city of Allentown.
Today, the Morning Call wrote a story on the program in an above-the-fold article on the front page of the Real Estate Section. You can read the full article by clicking here. An article also appeared in the Bethlehem Press in October. Click here to read the article.
The goal of the Hometown Heroes program is to help attract and retain moderate-income police, fire, and EMS personnel and increase the number of those who actually live in Allentown. Through the program, police officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel who qualify would be eligible for mortgage-interest or mortgage insurance buy-downs.
LVAR expects the program to be up and running by the summer of 2009.
12.5.08
RPAC FUNDRAISER ANOTHER SUCCESS
Bill Kuklinski (right) of Keller Williams was the diamond recipient
at this year’s “Champagne & Diamonds” RPAC fundraiser
REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) at Champagne & Diamonds Gala at the Green Pond Country Club.
Those who invested $100 to 2009 RPAC automatically became a $99 Club member, which entitles them to having their name printed in the Pennsylvania REALTOR® - the monthly periodical published by the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS®. What’s more, members who invested received a glass of champagne with either a cubic zirconia or a .83 carat high quality diamond valued at over $5,000! A professional jeweler was on site to test the stones after dinner to see who had the real one.
Excitement was in the air as each investor lined up to have their diamond tested by the professional jewelers Keith and Margaret Hess of Hess Jewelers (Whitehall). Bill Kuklinski of Keller Williams in Allentown was the fortunate recipient!
Just as in years past, the event was another big success! The generosity of those 28 LVAR members who invested in RPAC can take credit for helping raise over $4,700 toward our 2009 goal! Congratulations to Bill Kuklinski, and special thanks to Hess Jewelers for providing LVAR with a high quality diamond for the fundraiser and testing the stones at the event. Contact Hess Jewelers for all your jewelry needs at (610) 433-4000.
Champagne & Diamonds Participants:
Sterling R
George Raad
Governor’s Club
Rosemary Scardina
Capitol Club
Jeannette Perruso
Bill Kuklinski
Frank Renaldi
Fady Salloum
Susan Seidel
Christopher Zajacek
$99 Club
Catherine Amant
Marc Blau
Matthew Carl
Linda Dickert
Jeffrey Fehr
Thomas Flad
Karen Flad
Wallace Fry
Toni Geentiens
Tiffany Hayward
Laura Hill
James Madl
Lisa Madl
Mark Molchany
Glen Paisley
Usha Patel
Tom Perruso
Linda Stocklas
William Stoerrle
Steven Yost